7 Prettiest Places to Retire in the U.S.

Whether retirement is close at hand or on the horizon, imagine yourself in one of these picturesque cities.

Make Your Golden Years Even More Glorious

No matter what your requisites are for finding the perfect place to retire, there’s one thing most of us can agree on: We want to be somewhere beautiful. So we’ve rounded up the six prettiest places to retire to in the U.S. to help you make those glorious golden years even more captivating.

Note: The United States Department of Labor defines the Cost of Living index as the relative cost of maintaining a certain standard of living, where 100 is the average.

Doug Kerr/flickr

St. Augustine, Florida

Cost of living: 96Median home price: $133,600

With its warm climate, access to beaches and Spanish-style architecture, St. Augustine may truly be one of the most beautiful places to retire to in Florida. Punctuated by the clay-tiled roofs that recall its Spanish heritage, St. Augustine and its breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean serve not only as the nation’s oldest city but also as the place where Ponce de Leon allegedly discovered the Fountain of Youth. Although much of its original Spanish architecture has been replaced, its four historic districts require homeowners to paint their homes in pre-approved Spanish-colonial colors as a way of paying homage to its European beginnings.

Doug Kerr/flickr

Charleston, South Carolina

Cost of living: 110Median home price: $191,700

With cobblestone streets draped in Spanish moss, charming horse-drawn carriages and some of the most picturesque antebellum homes in the South, it’s no wonder the quaint, yet bustling city of Charleston was named "Top City in the United States" in the 2012 Condé Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Awards. Nestled amid barrier islands flanked with miles of white sand beaches, Charleston’s laid back Southern charm has made it one of the Lowcountry’s crowned jewels. Even its famed golf courses – the first game of golf in the U.S. was played in Charleston – and skyline – dotted with church steeples rather than skyscrapers thanks to a height restriction ordinanace – hark back to a more easygoing, luxurious time.

Scott McLeod/flickr

Burlington, Vermont

Cost of living: 126Median home price: $255,200

With Lake Champlain’s undulating beauty at its doorstep and Stowe’s scenic grandeur in its backyard, Burlington maintains its scenic grace from the first snowfall of winter to the lush vistas of summer. Beyond its proximity to nature, a brick-lined pedestrian mall and vibrant downtown make for a lively town center that’s bustling with activity, due in large part to the town’s local universities – University of Vermont, Burlington College and Champlain College.

Let Ideas Compete/flickr

Boulder, Colorado

Cost of living: 132Median home price: $257,100

As “front door” to the West, Boulder’s location at the base of the Rocky Mountains means that locals can look up and experience purple mountain majesties from almost anywhere in town. In addition to having the sights and sounds of nature at its doorstep, Boulder’s Victorian architecture and pedestrian-friendly mall give locals a reason to bring their heads out of the clouds. What’s more, Boulder’s ornate Dushanbe Teahouse – created as a gift from its sister city – took two years to hand make in Tajikistan before being taken apart and then shipped to Boulder, where its 200 boxes were then reassembled into the Persian gem that now resides within the town center.

Al_HikesAZ/flickr

Sedona, Arizona

Cost of living: 126Median home price: $321,500

When you think of grand, sweeping Western movies with Red Rock facades glistening in the desert sun, you’re actually picturing Sedona. Like Boulder, Sedona is surrounded by mountains. Except, instead of snow-capped mountains made for skiing, Sedona’s “mountains” are actually red sandstone formations. Perfect for hiking, biking and watching the sunrise or sunset, the Sedona landscape creates an almost ethereal backdrop for any activity. Beyond sweeping panoramas, Sedona’s town center is a vibrant community that’s not only active but also keeps its architectural history alive with zoning laws that require all buildings – even chains like McDonald’s – to be built within Pueblo Revival Style.

Michigan Municipal League/flickr

Traverse City, Michigan

Cost of living: 91Median home price: $172,800

Small-town charm, prime seating next to idyllic Lake Michigan and hill-top wineries make Traverse City a retirement gem. Known as the “Cherry Capital of the World” thanks to the weeklong National Cherry Festival it hosts each July, Traverse City not only boasts access to freshwater beaches, but its unique, water-cooled climate also makes it one of the top wine producers of the Midwest. And when the summer solstice is a distant memory, Traverse City glistens with snow-covered state parks and ski lodges, making it a year-round treasure.

Via Tsuji/flickr

Asheville, North Carolina

Cost of living: 104.8Median home price: $214,200

With porch-lined streets dotted with stately Queen Anne-style homes, rustic Arts and Crafts-style bungalows, Modernist masterpieces and Art Deco-inspired abodes, Asheville is an architect’s dream. Called “The Paris of the South,” Asheville’s eclectic architectural prowess is matched only by its natural surroundings – the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, which provide a stunning backdrop to the structures that make this town so uniquely beautiful.